No fuel price increase; Minister tells House

Petroleum Resources Development Minister Arjuna Ranathunga has assured that the prices of fossil fuel would not be increased despite requests by the Lanka IOC. The government had no intentions of placing extra burdens on the people.

He was taking part in the Committee Stage Debate of the Appropriation Bill 2018, under the financial heads of Power and Renewable Energy Ministry, Petroleum Resources Development Ministry and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry.

He went on that there is a tendency of increasing the fuel price in the world market. But the government has not decided not to increase the price. The decision had been taken not because of impending elections, but due to the government's reluctance to place the burden on the people. The sale of kerosene oil incurred a loss. Petrol sheds have been instructed not to issue kerosene oil to buses. The licenses of those petrol sheds that do so, would be cancelled. Stern action would be taken from the beginning of January.